Health Tips

Health Tips 2015/2016 FLU SEASON

Each flu season we are faced with new strains of influenza, but the basic symptoms are the same.

Know the Difference between a Cold and Flu Symptoms:

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Fever	Fever is low-grade (99-100°F) or absent	Temperatures of  100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days
Coughing	A hacking (mucus-producing) cough is often present	A dry cough is usually present
Aches	Slight body aches and pains	Severe aches and pains
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present and typically resolves spontaneously within a week	Stuffy nose is not commonly present
Chills	Chills are uncommon	Chills occur in 60% of cases
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild	Tiredness is moderate to severe
Sneezing	Sneezing is common	Sneezing is not common
Sudden Symptoms	Symptoms tend to develop gradually over a few days	Rapid onset within 3-6 hours with sudden symptoms of high fever - muscle aches +/-  shortness of breath or tight chest
Headache	Headaches are fairly mild	Headache occur in 80% of cases
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present	Sore throat is present in 70% of cases

The only way to stop the epidemic of the seasonal flu is to spread the awareness.

Get a flu shot –
Get a flu shot to protect against the regular seasonal flu. Get a shot if you are between the ages of 2 and 24, or have a chronic respiratory condition, e.g. asthma or COPD.

Practice good hygiene (cover the nose and mouth with a tissue to cough or sneeze, then discard the tissue; wash hands frequently with soap & water or an alcohol-based cleaner.)

Stay home if you are sick with flu-like illness in order to prevent the spread!

Seek medical attention immediately if you have flu-like symptoms along with any of the following:

• Inability to drink enough liquids to urinate at least daily
• Kidney disease or significant respiratory disease: asthma or COPD
• Currently undergoing chemotherapy
• Have an immunodeficiency disorder
• Are a recipient of an organ transplant

Stay informed – Call your health center staff if you have any questions or concerns regard the flu.

More information at: www.co.monterey.ca.us or call 1-831-755-4521 www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/update.htm or call 1-800-CDC-INFO